3.)Clean the frizzen, pan, and flint with a clean dry cloth. Be careful, the edge of the flint is sharp. Be sure the flash hole is clear of obstruction by inserting a vent pick or paper clip. Open the pan and put the cock down for safety.

4.) For a percussion rifle, check that the nipple fit is tight. A lose nipple can shoot out when the gun is fired. Use a nipple pick or paper clip to check that the nipple is clear of obstruction. Pointing the muzzle in a safe direction at the dust or a blade of grass, snap two or three caps. If the dust or grass blade moves your nipple is clear of oil and other obstructions. Place the hammer in the down position.

5.) Never use smokeless powder in a muzzle loader. Modern black powder substitutes are safe to use and may give acceptable performance in percussion guns. However, substitute powders will not function satisfactorily in a flintlock. Flintlocks can not generate the higher heat necessary to give reliable ignition with substitute powders. For the best results in all muzzle loaders use only traditional or "real" black powder.
Continued...

Losing The Right To Hunt ......
by Toby bridges

We're closer to losing all opportunities to hunt than many of you may realize. There are many people ... anti-hunting organizations ... and state, federal and global agencies which are hell bent to eliminate hunting. And, yes, some of those "agencies" include a number of so-called "Game & Fish" departments. How they are accomplishing a well funded effort to put an end to hunting just may surprise you. This article shares a look at a new 2022 website which aims to counter the efforts and lies of that anti-hunting movement.

Note from MountainGnome Online: We have an old saying in the hunting, farming, and ranching community about these over populated predators..."SSS"!! Continued...

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More Deer Hunting Myths Debunked

Misconceptions:

A talking head on outdoor TV puffs his chest and declares, “Man, the full moon is the worst time to hunt!” Sounds pretty good, and you buy it. Your daddy told you never to overhunt a spot, and you never doubt Pops. Stands to reason that if another hunter tromps too close to your treestand, your day is ruined, right?

Uh, no, to all three of the above. Let’s change your thinking on some misguided beliefs about big deer and how to hunt them.

8.) If a buck stamps and head bobs, he’s fixing to blow out of there — shoot!
A doe or buck stamps its foot and head bobs when it sees a strange object it can’t make out, like you huddled on the ground or up in a treestand. It is nervous body language, yes, but it does not necessarily indicate quick flight. No need to take a quick and poor bow shot at a buck on high alert; he’ll duck the arrow and whirl for sure.

Instead, freeze and don’t move a muscle. Don’t make direct eye contact with a stamping, bobbing deer if it is super close (sounds strange, I know, but try it). More times than not, so long as a buck doesn’t smell you, it will settle down, lose interest, and start to walk off. Now you might have a better and easier shot at a calm deer.